My brother is going to separate from his wife and has not made any mention of this to me

[Anonymous]

How do you know it's true if you've merely "heard it through the grapevine"?

[Anonymous]

MYOB. You are not the divorce patrol.

[Anonymous]

Not unusual. It's not something that's easy to discuss. I didn't tell my siblings or parents until we had already separated and mostly already knew what we were doing. I only told a couple of close friends ahead of time.

[Anonymous]

It sounds to me like your brother was sending up a trial balloon. As I've said before, people can plan to do anything. It means nothing until they take concrete steps. I suspect your brother was seeing what type of reaction he'd get by making this statement. I just hope he's ready and willing to do damage control should they stay married. I also hope his wife knows that he's "planning" to leave her.

[Anonymous]

Because if your brother told you, you will have alot of why? aren't you happy questions and then call the family. And worse, call on the SIL to check if she's ok.
Best is to just listen and don't say anything. It's easy to talk to siblings about disappointments in marriages, alcohol issues, drug issues, abuse, no sex, a 3rd party....

[Anonymous]

I heard that nice too, but five years later they are still married! Myob, unless he asks.

[Anonymous]

Once

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not something people tend to shout from the rooftops. I know several people who kept their divorce news to themselves for as long as possible, not even telling their closest friends. I think that sometimes there is a level of embarrassment and shame felt when one realizes the marriage is going to end.

This. Divorce is humiliating. I told as few people as possible.

Agree. It's a difficult discussion to have, even with family members and friends.

[Anonymous]

Unless you're his sister-wife, it's none of your business.

[Anonymous]

OP, your brother is going through something very painful. Please just be supportive of him, and stop making it all about you. You have no place to be hurt here.